Dubbio affetto il cor mi strugge by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751). Edited by Michael Talbot. For Soprano and basso continuo. Full score and parts. 37 pages. Duration 8 minutes. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH146-FSP).
ISBN 978-1-904229-76-6.
This cantata, from an important manuscript in Berlin containing 18 Albinoni cantatas for soprano and continuo, is on the ever-popular subject of a timid lover who, in the course of three arias and two recitatives, eventually plucks up the courage to declare his love openly. His progress from confusion via self-pity to a growing confidence is charted in the well-contrasted arias, which show Albinoni's lyrical gift at its best.

Sovre molle origliere by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751). Edited by Michael Talbot. For Soprano and basso continuo. Full score and parts. 34 pages. Duration 7 minutes. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH145-FSP).
ISBN 1-904229-75-1.
This cantata, from an important manuscript in Berlin containing 18 Albinoni cantatas for soprano and continuo, is on a more serious subject than most. Standing at the deathbed of Lidio, who has undeviatingly loved her without reciprocation all his life, Clori is stricken by remorse at her ingratitude and enjoins others to surrender to Cupid. As usual, Albinoni does not wallow in the lachrymose, but there is an affecting tenderness that suffuses the whole cantata.

Fileno, caro amico by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751). Edited by Michael Talbot. For Soprano and basso continuo. Full score and parts. 37 pages. Duration 7 minutes. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH144-FSP).
ISBN 1-904229-74-3.
This cantata, from an important manuscript in Berlin containing 18 Albinoni cantatas for soprano and continuo, belongs in spirit to the subgenre known as the lezione amorosa, or 'lesson in love'. The singer represents a lover who, in a homily addressed to his friend Fileno, reproaches his beloved for her doubts about his fidelity, a quality that he then proceeds to extol. As usual, Albinoni does not allow the mood to grow too intense: this is, after all, civilised conversation, not moral philosophy!

Di tante ree sciagure by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751). Edited by Michael Talbot. For Soprano and basso continuo. Full score and parts. 32 pages. Duration 7 minutes. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH143-FSP).
ISBN 1-904229-73-5.
This cantata, from an important manuscript in Berlin containing 18 Albinoni cantatas for soprano and continuo, is on the ever-popular subject of the separation of lovers. It records the departure of Irene from 'Adria' the conventional Arcadian code-word for Venice and doubtless was written to commemorate a genuine parting of, say, members of a court. Throughout, Albinoni maintains the simple, lightly elegiac mood that is the hallmark of his style.

Quest'e l'ora fatale by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751). Edited by Michael Talbot. For Soprano and basso continuo. Full score and parts. 34 pages. Duration 8 minutes. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH142-FSP).
ISBN 1-904229-72-7.
This cantata, from an important manuscript in Berlin containing 18 Albinoni cantatas for soprano and continuo, is on the subject of the parting of lovers. Dalinda, forced to part from Tirsi, vows fidelity to him and asks for the same in return. With not only two da capo arias but also a final cavata (a fugue-like section), this is one of Albinoni's more extended chamber cantatas, full of harmonic and tonal variety.

Lontan da te, mia vita by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751). Edited by Michael Talbot. For Soprano and basso continuo. Full score and parts. 32 pages. Duration 7 minutes. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH141-FSP).
ISBN 1-904229-71-9.
This cantata, from an important manuscript in Berlin containing 18 Albinoni cantatas for soprano and continuo, is on the subject of the lover's separation from his (or it could be her) beloved, one of the most recurrent themes in the Baroque cantata. An introductory recitative expressing the pain of separation is followed by an extended aria in slow tempo that is among Albinoni's most accomplished and is remarkable for its modulations to distant keys. After a second recitative, which ends with a vivid evocation of Cupid's dart, we arrive at the lover's second aria, which is more tranquil in mood than the first, since he (or she) now looks forward to the expected reunion.

Donna illustre del Lazio by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751). Edited by Michael Talbot. For Soprano and basso continuo. Full score and parts. 37 pages. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH140-FSP).
ISBN 1-904229-70-0.
Most probably, this cantata was first performed in Rome at an accademia held at the cardinal's palace. Tarquinia is lauded equally for her beauty and for her virtue. If the first aria is playful in tone, the second strikes a more serious note, since female modesty is not something to take lightly! To this second aria Albinoni appends a very brief, third recitative that opens out into a longer cavata, a fugue-like section bringing the cantata to an animated and triumphant close.

Sorgea col lume in fronte by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751). Edited by Michael Talbot. For Soprano and basso continuo. Full score and parts. 40 pages. Duration 8 minutes. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH109-FSP).
ISBN 978-1-905779-20-8.
The theme of the cantata is the separation of lovers brought on by the enforced departure of the beloved on a sea voyage. The protagonist likens his tears to the waves surrounding the boat and his sighs to the winds that propel it, the two images giving rise to some lively word-painting. Both arias are in slow tempo, but the concluding cavata lends a welcome touch of animation to the cantata.

Se piu sfida i miei pensieri by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751). Edited by Michael Talbot. For Soprano and basso continuo. Full score and parts. 38 pages. Duration 9 minutes. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH108-FSP).
ISBN 1-904229-66-2.
The poetic theme of the cantata is the well-worn one of unrequited love. In the opening aria, the singer challenges the God of Love to battle. This is a true aria di battaglia in which the singer mimics the idiom of the trumpet. Indeed, the first seven bars of the vocal part, transposed up a whole tone, would suit a Baroque trumpet in C excellently. The protagonist, whose persona is male (although that fact did not then, and does not today, disqualify the cantata from performance by female sopranos), confesses his love-smitten state in a brief recitative.

Two cantatas by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751). Edited by Michael Talbot. For Alto and basso continuo. Full score and parts. 51 pages. Duration 15 minutes. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH107-FSP).
ISBN 1-904229-65-4.
Both cantatas are typical specimens of Albinoni's style. The little flourishes of conjunct demisemiquavers seen in bar 13 of the opening aria of Vorrei che lo sapessi and bar 14 of that of Senza il core del mio bene, are a 'trademark' feature. So, too, is the use of a Devise (a preliminary statement of the voice's opening theme) in the majority of the arias. The strongly independent rhythmic and melodic character of the continuo bass, with its intensive development of characteristic motives that sometimes amounts to ostinato treatment (as in the opening aria of Vorrei che lo sapessi), is quintessentially Albinonian. These cantatas are likely to date, at least in their original form, from before 1700.

Il bel ciglio d'Irene by Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751). Edited by Michael Talbot. For Soprano and basso continuo. Full score and parts. 33 pages. Duration 7 minutes. Published by Edition HH Music Publishers (HH.HH147-FSP).
ISBN 978 1 904229 77 3.
This cantata, from an important manuscript in Berlin containing 18 Albinoni cantatas for soprano and continuo, is the opening work of the set. A shepherd receives a glance that he believes to be significant from Irene, on whom he has set his affections. Was this glance genuinely meant or only teasing? In two recitatives and two arias, variously playful and reflective, Albinoni explores the possibilities.

Taivas On Sinnen (The Sky is Blue and White and Full of Stars). By Finnish Folk Song. Arranged by Donald Patriquin. For SSA Chorus and Piano; optional Cello. Jean Ashworth Bartle Choral Series. Secular. Octavo. Published by Earthsongs (ES.W-054B).
Language/Country: Finnish/Finland. No. 2 of "World Music Suite". For separate instrumental parts, see item number W-054B-PARTS.

African Star Carol by Michael Barrett. For SATB choir, piano accompaniment and percussion (Studiotrax CD). Choral. Shawnee Press. Epiphany, general, music appreciation, World Unity, Christmas. Shawnee Press #MD5568. Published by Shawnee Press (HL.35000298).
Here is the much anticipated follow up to Michael Barrett's smash hit African Advent Carol. Hear the morning break forth with a joyous affirmation that the music of light will shine in our lives forever. Incorporating the traditional South African tune “Siyahamba,” this amazing choral will be an unforgettaable song for post-Christmas services or for any time of the year when joy is lifted to the skies!

Celtic Advent Carol. (StudioTrax CD). By David Angerman and Michael Barrett. For SATB choir, flute and piano (optional orchestraion) (Accompaniment CD). Choral. Shawnee Press. Advent, Christmas. CD only. Shawnee Press #MD5555. Published by Shawnee Press (HL.35003137).
The urgent joy of the driving 6/8 meter is reminiscent of a celtic folk dance and the idiomatic orchestration adds to the folk flavor in this unique Advent offering. Prepare the way for the Lord this Advent season with an anthem easily learned, but not soon forgotten. Outstanding!

Celtic Advent Carol. (Orchestration). By David Angerman and Michael Barrett. For SATB choir, flute and piano (optional orchestraion) (Score & Parts). Shawnee Press. Shawnee Press #LB5936. Published by Shawnee Press (HL.35003136).
The urgent joy of the driving 6/8 meter is reminiscent of a celtic folk dance and the idiomatic orchestration adds to the folk flavor in this unique Advent offering. Prepare the way for the Lord this Advent season with an anthem easily learned, but not soon forgotten. Outstanding!